50 Blakemore Strawberry Bare Roots – Fragaria x ananassa, June-Bearing Plants

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with these 50 Blakemore strawberry bare roots. The Blakemore strawberry, scientifically known as Fragaria × ananassa, is a cherished June-bearing variety with a rich history, originally developed by the USDA. Renowned for its firm fruit, which made it an excellent choice for shipping in its heyday, this variety remains a favorite among home gardeners for its delicious taste and robust nature. These bare roots provide a strong foundation for establishing a thriving strawberry patch, promising a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy berries. Cultivating Fragaria x ananassa plants allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown fruit right from your garden, making it a perfect addition for both novice and experienced gardeners.

This offering includes 50 individual Blakemore strawberry bare roots, ready for planting. Bare root plants are a cost-effective and efficient way to start your garden, as they establish quickly once planted. The Blakemore variety is particularly well-suited for gardens in USDA Zones 3 through 8, thriving in a wide range of climates across the United States. Its resilience and adaptability make it a reliable choice for consistent fruit production. Discover the joy of growing your own strawberries with these high-quality bare roots.

Key Benefits

Choosing to grow Blakemore strawberries offers a multitude of advantages for the home gardener, blending historical reliability with modern garden appeal. These June-bearing plants are not only productive but also add aesthetic value to your garden space.

• Reliable June-Bearing Harvest: Enjoy a concentrated, abundant harvest of delicious strawberries typically in late spring to early summer. This makes planning for jams, preserves, and fresh eating simple and satisfying with your June-bearing strawberry plants.
• Superior Fruit Firmness: The Blakemore strawberry is celebrated for its firm fruit, which holds up exceptionally well after picking. This characteristic makes it ideal for fresh consumption, baking, freezing, and making preserves, ensuring your harvest lasts longer.
• Adaptable & Hardy: These plants are remarkably resilient, tolerating moderate drought conditions and resisting rotting even in hot, humid weather. This hardiness ensures a successful crop across various environments, especially within USDA Zones 3-8.
• Excellent for Home Gardens: Historically popular and easy to care for, the Blakemore strawberry bare roots are a fantastic choice for home gardeners looking for a dependable and productive strawberry variety.
• Versatile Culinary Use: Beyond fresh eating, the firm texture and sweet flavor of Blakemore strawberries make them perfect for pies, tarts, smoothies, and a variety of other culinary creations.
• Attractive Ground Cover: As the plants mature, they spread via runners, forming an attractive green ground cover that can help suppress weeds and beautify your garden beds.
• High Yield Potential: With proper care, these Fragaria x ananassa plants are known for their generous yields, providing plenty of berries for your family to enjoy.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of Blakemore strawberry bare roots begins with proper planting and consistent care. These plants thrive in specific conditions that encourage optimal growth and fruit production. For best results, ensure your planting site receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Well-drained soil is crucial; heavy, waterlogged soil can lead to root rot. Amending your soil with organic matter like compost before planting will improve drainage and fertility, providing an ideal environment for your Fragaria x ananassa plants to flourish.

When planting your strawberry plant care, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots without bending them. The crown of the plant (where the leaves emerge) should be level with the soil surface, not buried too deep or exposed too high. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Blakemore strawberries are optimally grown in USDA Zones 3 through 8. They prefer consistently moist soil, especially during fruiting, but avoid overwatering. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, and again after the main harvest to promote runner development. Watch out for common pests like slugs and birds, and consider netting to protect your ripening berries. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the fruit clean.

Pruning is also an important aspect of strawberry plant care for June-bearing varieties. After the main harvest, you can mow or trim the foliage to about 1 inch above the crowns. This helps rejuvenate the plants and encourages new growth for the following season. Remove any diseased or old leaves throughout the growing season. Blakemore strawberries are relatively hardy, tolerate moderate drought conditions, and resist rotting in hot, humid weather, making them a robust choice for many gardeners. Understanding how to grow Blakemore strawberries effectively will ensure a delicious and abundant crop year after year.

Size & Details

This offering includes 50 Blakemore strawberry bare roots, which are dormant plants ready for immediate planting upon arrival. Bare roots do not come with soil or pots, making them lightweight and easy to ship. Once planted, these June-bearing strawberry plants will typically grow to a height of 6-12 inches and spread about 12-18 inches wide as they produce runners. The first harvest can often be expected in the first full growing season after planting, usually in late spring to early summer, depending on your climate zone and planting time. These plants establish quickly, developing a strong root system to support vigorous growth and fruit production.

The Blakemore variety is known for its moderate growth rate, allowing it to establish well and produce a healthy crop. Each bare root has the potential to develop into a mature, fruit-producing plant. The fruit itself is medium-sized, conical, and boasts a bright red color with a firm texture. These characteristics, combined with the plant’s hardiness, make the Blakemore strawberry bare roots an excellent investment for a productive and long-lasting strawberry patch.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Blakemore strawberry plants get? A: Once established, Blakemore strawberry bare roots typically grow to about 6-12 inches tall and spread 12-18 inches wide as they send out runners. The size can vary slightly based on growing conditions and care.
• Q: Are these suitable for containers or only in-ground planting? A: While they can be grown in large containers, June-bearing strawberry plants like the Blakemore often perform best when planted directly in the ground, allowing them to spread and produce more runners.
• Q: How much sunlight do Blakemore strawberries need? A: For optimal fruit production, these Fragaria x ananassa plants require full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Q: Is this an everbearing or June-bearing variety? A: The Blakemore is a classic June-bearing strawberry variety, meaning it produces one large crop of berries over a few weeks in late spring to early summer.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these bare roots? A: The best time to plant Blakemore strawberry bare roots is in early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in late fall in milder climates.
• Q: What condition will the bare roots arrive in? A: Your 50 Blakemore strawberry bare roots will arrive dormant, without soil or leaves, ready for planting. This is a normal and healthy state for bare root plants.
• Q: What kind of soil do these strawberries prefer? A: Blakemore strawberries thrive in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-6.5) is ideal for healthy growth and fruit production.
• Q: How long until I get fruit from these plants? A: You can typically expect your first harvest from these Blakemore strawberry bare roots in the first full growing season after planting, usually in late spring to early summer.
• Q: Is this variety resistant to diseases? A: The Blakemore variety is known for its general hardiness and resistance to rotting in hot, humid weather, but like all plants, it can be susceptible to various diseases if conditions are not optimal. Good strawberry plant care practices help prevent issues.
• Q: Can I use these for making preserves? A: Absolutely! The firm texture of Blakemore strawberries makes them an excellent choice for making jams, jellies, and other preserves, as they hold their shape well during cooking.